Fresh apricots, a small stone fruit with velvety, blushed orange-red skin and a soft, juicy interior that turns fragrant as it ripens. Like peaches and plums, apricots are drupes: the fruit forms around a single hard pit that encases the seed, a structure that develops from a single ovary with one ovule. Ripe apricots have a short season and an even shorter window of peak flavor, so they're best eaten within a few days of softening. Eat them out of hand, halve and grill them for a smoky char, poach them in a light syrup, or bake them into a galette or crumble. Their tartness also holds up well against savory ingredients, so they work sliced into a salad with soft cheese or folded into a chutney for roasted meats. Pairs well with honey, thyme, almonds, burrata, and prosciutto.

